Here in Miami, we are counting our blessings and thankful that we were spared the full force of Hurricane Irma. Fallen trees, broken fences, no power, cable or internet are no match for this great city. But as you navigate your way around, here are a few of the places that are in tip-top shape and ready for locals and travelers.
EAT
Bodega Taqueria y Tequila: From noon to 8 pm on Saturday, Sept. 16, come out to Bodega to forget your #Irmageddon troubles with tequila, $5 margaritas, tacos and air conditioning—it’s also Mexican Independence Day.
The Mondrian South Beach hotel is ready for guests and the return of its #TheBeachIsBack Sunset happy hour poolside. Order one of the specialty cocktails—"Southern Irishman" and "Sunshine State Relief," $9 each—not on the regular menu and 100 percent of proceeds will be donated to Hurricane Irma relief efforts. Drink up Miami!
The Salty Donut: The sweet treat everyone craves and the Cooking Channel’s "Sugar Showdown Champions" The Salty Donut is open once again. A portion from every purchase will be donated to Hurricane Irma relief efforts through Sept. 30.
Sugar: The posh rooftop bar at East, Miami is helping Hurricane Irma Relief by donating $2 of each specialty “Irma Relief” cocktail ($16) to Feeding South Florida. The cocktail includes Plymouth gin, St. Germain, muddled apple, aloe, pineapple and lime juice.
Restaurants with regular operating hours(Note: This is not an exhaustive list and will be updated periodically as needed)
15th and Vine Kitchen & Bar, W Miami (Brickell)
Beaker & Gray (Wynwood)
Cecconi’s (Miami Beach)
Coco Bambu (Miami Beach)
DÔA (Miami Beach)
Dolce Italian, The Gale South Beach (Miami Beach)
Downtown Coral Gables cafés and restaurants
Forte Dei Marmi (Miami Beach)
Freshko Gourmet (Downtown Miami)
Graziano Restaurants & Markets (Brickell, Coral Gables, Hialeah, Bird Road)
GreenStreet Café (Coconut Grove)
Harry’s Pizzeria (Coconut Grove, Downtown Dadeland, Design District)
Il Mulino New York, Acqualina Resort & Spa (Sunny Isles Beach)
Jimmy’s Eastside Diner (MiMo District)
KYU (Wynwood)
Meraki Greek Bistro (Downtown Miami)
Mr. Chow (Miami Beach)
Novecento (Brickell, Key Biscayne)
OTL (Design District)
Panther Coffee (Wynwood)
Quinto La Huella (Brickell)
Seaspice (Miami)
Sergio’s (Miami, Doral, Kendall)
Shorty’s BBQ (Doral)
Spring Chicken (Coral Gables)
Soul Tavern (Miami Beach)
Town Kitchen & Bar (South Miami)
Via Emilia 9 (Miami Beach)
Versailles (Miami)
Villa Azur (Miami Beach)
Yardbird Southern Table & Bar (Miami Beach)
Zuma (Brickell)
SHOP
The Miami Design District is among the shopping districts and centers ready to provide retail therapy post-hurricane Irma. The Design District perks include free public Wi-Fi at Palm Court, cell phone charging stations at Estefan Kitchen and four hours of free valet parking.
Aventura Mall
Bal Harbour Shops
Brickell City Centre
Dolphin Mall
The Falls
Miami International Mall
The Shops at Downtown Doral
Shops at Merrick Park
Westland Mall
PLAY
What's better than partying for a cause? Nothing. Get your party on and dance for a good cause on Fri-Su, Sept. 15-17 as Miami Beach hotspot WALL at W South Beach will donate 100 percent of door revenue to the American Red Cross for people affected by hurricanes Harvey and Irma.
New World Symphony will host an encore Wallcast Relief Concert, Sept. 16 at 7:30 pm at SoundScape Park. The performance will feature Michael Tilson Thomas, the New World Symphony Fellows and pianist Emanuel Ax in a program that includes Brahms’ Variations on a Theme of Haydn; Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 14; Schoenberg’s Piano Concerto and R. Strauss’ Till Eulenspiegel’s Merry Pranks. Wallcast concerts are free and no tickets are required.
Coral Gables Art Cinema, Cinebistro at CityPlace Doral and O Cinema Miami Beach movie theaters are now open and welcome guests into the blissful air conditioning.
General admission to Dezer Auto Museum’s North Miami is $10 through Tuesday, Sept. 19. Children under 12 are free.
Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science: The museum is open regular hours and the museum’s in-house café Food@Science is serving up fresh salads, sandwiches and hearty dishes.
STAY
The Plymouth Miami Beach is offering 50 percent off the lowest available rate online using the rate code “IRMA.” Guests who have a valid Florida or Caribbean ID will receive free Wi-Fi and two complimentary beach chairs. Traveling with pets? The hotel is also waiving pet fees. Hurricane Irma relief rates valid through Sept. 30.
Menin Hospitality properties—Mondrian South Beach, Shelborne South Beach, Gale South Beach and Kaskades South Beach—are offering 30 percent off all hotel rates as part of their “Open For Business” deal.
The 331-pound "Giant Blue Baby Foot" sculpture by artist Idan Zareski resting on the doorstep of the Sagamore Hotel is intact post-Irma and ready to welcome guests. The hotel is offering a special rate; a Suite Life Discount allows for a Studio Suite and breakfast for two starting at $147 per night for locals and visitors. Additionally, guests checking in through Oct. 31 will have the option to donate $2 to the Red Cross to provide financial assistance to those affected by Hurricane Irma.
If you are a local displaced by Hurricane Irma, Airbnb is offering free accommodations through its network of local hosts through Sept. 28.
